It's genuinely Die Hard. Calling it a Christmas movie used to be something I said for fun, but somewhere along the line, watching it at Christmas has become an actual tradition that I look forward to

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Honestly it's one of the few Christmas movies I still really look forward to watching. Not only have I always loved the muppets, but it's just a really good movie. Micheal Caine is gives it 100% and the story adaptation is really well done. And having Gonzo narrating as Dickens plus Rizzo for breaking tension was pulled off so well.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Home Alone.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Hogfather. Based on the Terry Pratchett book of the same name. The hogfather (santa) is missing so Death has to fill in.

For me it has to be National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, along with other seasonal offerings, Groundhog day, Trading Places, Love Actually, & The Family Stone..

A Christmas Story! It always runs 24/7 on some channel come the holidays. It's also just one of my favorite movies. Nothing overstays, all the actors are great, the little daydream scenes, I love it all.

Since it is well established that Die Hard qualifies, by the same criterion so does Gilliam's Brazil from 1985, and that would be mine, for its gloriously nightmarish dystopia - closely followed by Klaus (2019), which is a far more conventional seasonal tale: an animation with a beautiful style of artwork and a great story.

The Grinch (2000). Jim Carrey's tortured performance slays me.

Followed by White Christmas (1954) because I love Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen.

I love that Arnold is so famous in Western culture that no one has to say his last name. He is the only Arnold that matters and it will be a great sadness to the hemisphere the day he leaves us.

A Muppet Family Christmas
It has everything, muppets, sesame street, fraggle rock, songs, jokes, swedish chef. It was my favorite as a kid and still makes me laugh every year.

Home Alone. For me, only the first one. The soundtrack is also a legit good Christmas album.

Muppet Christmas Carol. Michael Caine with the straightman performance of the century sharing screentime with Rizzo the rat. Masterpiece from start to finish.

Hear me out: Ernest Saves Christmas

Been quoting lines from this movie for years:

• Every time we see Santa at the mall: (lean it to the wife) "His real name is 'Santos'"
• Everytime we see a sleigh decoration: "'Slay'! Not 'Sleigh'"
• "Call it a fifth sense. Call it extra sensory perspiration."
• "Right as rain sugar. Pork's my meat!"
• "It's all dem movie people want. Poison!"
• "Having walked from the airport, I'll be dead soon"
• ... and much much more

For me it’s Wonderful Life from Frank Capra!

Can't believe I don't see Gremlins anywhere here! The first one is inarguably a Christmas movie.

the one with the leg lamp

Bad Santa. It’s cynical and hilarious and still ends up weirdly heartwarming.

"Shitter was full!"

The Year Without A Santa Clause (1974)

Those meiser jingles are too good and the claymation has big Christmas vibes to it.

Alien (1979). When the cryogenic sleep pods open at the beginning it reminds me of those dioramas people do of Baby J, the three wise men etc. The alien is like one of the animals, although a little more aggressive.

Home Alone 2 for me! There is something super cozy about the snowy New York City setting. Especially when I was younger I really appreciated those vibes.

scrooged

Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas

Excellent music, a wholesome story, and a Snake that plays Bass.

What's not to love?

Die hard. It's the the only one that comes to mind.

I don't think there's any topping It's A Wonderful Life, but it almost feels like cheating.

Rare Exports

die hard

Arthur Christmas (no, not THAT Arthur)

It's a computer animated film from Aardman Animations, the studio that makes Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, etc. I watch it at least once a year, and every time I do I laugh hysterically, I cry, and I get wrapped up in the action. And, the story has four main characters with four really good arcs.

Classic: A Christmas Carol, the 1951 version with Alastair Sim. Sim's giddy portrayal of Scrooge on Christmas morning is one of my favorite performances of any actor.

Modern: A Christmas Story, and Elf.

Eight crazy nights is a staple in our family, no kids yet so that will probably change if we ever have those lol

an old favorite for me is Prancer from 1989 with Sam Elliott. We taped it off the TV, so the old commercials and tracking lines and distorted audio all play into it. Man I miss that tape.

For some reason this made for TV movie called The Night They Saved Christmas with Jaclyn Smith and Art Carney.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_They_Saved_Christmas

idk why. It’s got one of the most annoying kids in it, and it’s the first thing I think of watching every time around.

edit: I just read the plot summary and it sounds fairly insane.

I actually really like The Night Before. That Joe Seth Rogan movie. It's the only one I've been rewatching over the last few years.